Via the AP:

Rep. Doreen Costa, R-North Kingstown, said she voted against the measure because no member of the public told her they supported it. "I've never seen so much opposition to a bill," she said.

...Rep. Arthur Handy, D-Cranston, is crafting the amendment. He said lawmakers should have the chance to vote on gay marriage.

"We've never enshrined discrimination in our laws, and that's what this (the civil union bill) does," he said. "People have worked so hard on this issue. This is the year, and this is the path to do it."